Page 80 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

“Save it.” She flashes away from the apartment, leaving me with two very disgruntled parents and Mateo.

“Demetria Barrera, what the hell was that?” Dad’s voice booms through the kitchen. “You were raised better than that, young lady. Evelyn deserves some kindness, it would take a fool to miss that soul deep pain she tries to hide.”

“Dad, please.” I close my eyes and fall against the counter, using it for support to stand.

I messed up with Evelyn.

“She’ll be okay, Demi. Give her space today, but don’t wait to talk to her. There’s only a small window of time Evelyn leaves open. She’s not one to forget those who have wronged her.”

Mateo pushes away from the island and says goodbye to my parents.

When he closes the doors, I open my eyes and find my parents looking at me. Mom’s eyes are pinched around the edges and there’s a deep curve marking Dad’s frown.

“I’m sorry.”

Mom pulls me into her arms. “You’re not perfect, Demi. From all accounts, other than the whole kidnapping thing, these vampires seem to have your best interests in their hearts. Evelyn is sweet.”

I let out a hard breath. “I know she is, Mom. She and Alissa helped me get through a lot while I was here… I don’t know what I’d do without her friendship.”

Mom pats my cheek and goes to wash my plate. “Then you know what you need to do.”

* * *

Mateo

I call a meeting after I leave Demi with her parents. All but two vampires arrive on time. Thatcher and Alejandro roll in five minutes into me assigning people jobs and after I’ve already briefed everyone on what happened with Nix. Those that weren’t here when Nix ripped vampires apart were surprised to return home to a mess.

Had they all been home, protecting our base instead of off with me to teach Sisco a lesson, I doubt Nix would have tried. She’s good, but she’s not good enough to evade a hundred vampires unscathed.

“Where were you?”

Usually anyone who dares to come late to a meeting apologizes profusely or gives me a damn good reason for ignoring a direct order to convene. These vampires, however, cross their arms over their chest and don’t answer me.

This is what I was worried about. Now that we’re finally meeting after all the issues with Blaze and Sisco, someone’s going to test my authority. It appears Tweedledee and Tweedledum are the first to make a move.

I clasp my hands behind my back and stare at them. “Do you have something you’d like to say?”

Alejandro is the brave one. “We’ve been doing a lot of work for your little hunter, Mateo. Are you sure you’re fit to lead when your cock keeps sending you running after her?”

First of all, it doesn’t escape my notice he called me Mateo and not Boss. No one except for my inner circle has permission to use my real name. Second of all, my ability to lead with Blood Mafia interests at heart has never been questioned.

Until now.

Tipping my head to the side, I move my gaze to Thatcher. “You feel the same way?”

He hesitates for a mere second before nodding.

A vicious smile pulls at my lips so hard it almost hurts. “Are you sure? This is your chance to back out.”

Alejandro glares at him.

Thatcher wavers on indecision until he finally dips his head. “You are not fit to lead anymore.”

I grind my jaw together and clench my hands into fists. “Is that so?”

I knew this was coming. There’s only so many times they’d let me die at the hands of Demi before trying to take control of my operations. I never enjoy killing my own people, but they’re crossing a line. If I let them live, they’ll only try again.

Glancing around the room, I lift my arms and spin. “Is there anyone else?”

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